Animal repelling device

ABSTRACT

An animal repelling device may include a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, each of which includes an upper section and a lower section. The upper section may include a vertical tab, a notch formed in the vertical tab, and ribs coupled to opposing sides of the vertical tab. The lower section may include a foot coupled to a sidewall, the sidewall comprising a curved inner surface configured to mateably couple with a fence. A roller may be disposed between, be rotatably coupled to, and extend axially between, the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, the roller comprising an aligner that biases the roller back to an initial at rest position. An attachment clip may be releasably coupled to the notch of the vertical tab.

FIELD OF USE

This disclosure relates to an animal repelling device, system, andmethod for mounting on a barrier or fence to prevent the invasion ofwild animals, and to prevent the escape of domestic animals into thewild.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an improvement in animal-repellingdevices, and more particularly to animal-repelling devices mountableonto a boundary structure such as a fence or similar barrier designed tokeep wild animals, as well as uninvited domestic animals and personsout.

With population growth continuing to tax urban environments for space,the countryside, near and outlying, have and are being developed. Themore development encroaches upon the countryside, or is at anurban-countryside interface, the more likely encounters withwild-animals and animal property invasions will be. Conventional fencesand other border barriers have not been sufficient to prevent wildanimals from scaling fences, barriers, and entering property; nor havethey been sufficient to prevent one's pet, such as a dog in particular,from scaling the fence or barrier to get out. Dangers abound with eitherscenario. The intrusion of a wild animal into one's backyard, in spiteof a ‘protective’ fence places one's domestic pet and household membersand guests at risk of harm, disease, or both. Property damage, eating upone's garden or a pet's food supply, are common with such intrusions. Apet dog escaping the comfort of a backyard exposes itself to the dangersof the wild and may never return as a result.

SUMMARY

A need exists for an improved animal repelling device, system, andmethod.

Accordingly, in an aspect, an animal repelling device may comprise afirst mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, each of whichcomprises an upper section and a lower section. The upper section maycomprise a vertical tab coupled to and extending from the lower section,a notch formed in the vertical tab, and ribs coupled to opposing sidesof the vertical tab and the lower section of the mounting bracket toprovide structural support. The lower section may comprise a foot withan upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, thevertical tab coupled to and extending from the upper surface of the footand a sidewall coupled to and extending from the lower surface of thefoot, the sidewall comprising a curved inner surface configured tomateably couple with an upper circular rail of a fence. A roller may bedisposed between, be rotatably coupled to, and extend axially between,the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket, the rollercomprising an aligner that biases the roller back to an initial at restposition. An attachment clip may be releasably coupled to the notch ofthe vertical tab of at least one of the first mounting bracket or thesecond mounting bracket, the attachable accessory comprising one or moreof a noise making clip, a security finial clip, a lamp clip, or a sirenclip.

The animal repelling device may further comprise the animal repellingdevice being formed of a weather resistant non-corrodible material. Thecurved inner surface of the sidewall may comprise a radius of curvaturein a range of 2.5-20 centimeters. The security finial may comprise atrident with a width greater than a width of the mounting bracket towhich the security finial clip is coupled. The noise making clip mayfurther comprise an arm comprising a rolled edge coupled to the notch ofthe vertical tab, and a tongue flexibly coupled to the arm and extendingto intermittently contact the roller when the roller is spinning. Thealigner of the roller may comprise a weighted feature configured torotate the roller to a position with the aligner at the bottom of theroller. The vertical tab may be offset with respect to the foot of thelower section of the mounting bracket.

In another aspect, an animal repelling device may comprise at least onemounting bracket comprising an upper section and a lower section. Theupper section may comprise a vertical tab coupled to and extending fromthe lower section, a notch formed in the vertical tab, and a rib coupledto the vertical tab. The lower section may comprise a sidewall thatextends away from the vertical tab, the sidewall comprising a curvedinner surface. A roller may be coupled to and extend axially from thefirst mounting bracket. An attachment clip may be releasably coupled tothe notch of the vertical tab of at least one of the first mountingbracket or the second mounting bracket.

The animal repelling device may further comprise the rib coupled to thevertical tab comprising first and second ribs coupled to opposing sidesof the vertical tab and further coupled to the lower section of themounting bracket. The sidewall may comprise a curved inner surfacecomprising a radius of curvature in a range of 2.5-20 centimeters. Theattachment clip may further comprise a security finial that comprises atrident with a width greater than a width of the mounting bracket towhich the security finial clip is coupled. The attachment clip mayfurther comprise a noise making clip that comprises an arm comprising arolled edge coupled to the notch of the vertical tab, and a tongueflexibly coupled to the arm and extending to intermittently contact theroller when the roller is spinning. The roller may comprise an alignerconfigured to rotate the roller to an at rest position. The vertical tabis offset with respect to the foot of the lower section of the mountingbracket.

In yet another aspect, an animal repelling device may comprise amounting bracket comprising an upper section and a lower section. Theupper section may comprise a vertical tab coupled to and extending fromthe lower section, a notch formed in the vertical tab, and a rib coupledto the vertical tab. The lower section may comprise a sidewall thatextends away from the vertical tab. A roller may be coupled to, andextend axially from, the mounting bracket.

The animal repelling device may further comprise the rib coupled to thevertical tab further comprising first and second ribs coupled toopposing sides of the vertical tab and further coupled to the lowersection of the mounting bracket. The sidewall may comprise a curvedinner surface comprising a radius of curvature in a range of 2.5-20centimeters. An attachment clip may be included that comprises asecurity finial that comprises a trident with a width greater than awidth of the mounting bracket to which the security finial clip iscoupled. An attachment clip may be included that comprises a noisemaking clip that further comprises an arm comprising a rolled edgecoupled to the notch of the vertical tab, and a tongue flexibly coupledto the arm and extending to intermittently contact the roller when theroller is spinning. The roller may comprise an aligner configured torotate the roller to an at rest position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of an animal repelling device mounted to a topof a fence or wall.

FIGS. 2A-2F show examples of various mounting brackets that may be usedas part of the animal repelling device.

FIGS. 3A-3G show examples of various rollers that may be used as part ofthe animal repelling device.

FIG. 4 shows a roller coupled on opposing ends to first and secondmounting brackets.

FIGS. 5A-5F show various clips that may be coupled to the mountingbrackets of the animal repelling device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific material types, or other system component examples, or methodsdisclosed herein. Many additional components, construction and assemblyprocedures known in the art are contemplated for use with particularimplementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, althoughparticular implementations are disclosed, such implementations andimplementing components may comprise any components, models, types,materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the artfor such systems and implementing components, consistent with theintended operation.

The word “exemplary,” “example,” or various forms thereof are usedherein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Anyaspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely forpurposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit orrestrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of thisdisclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad ofadditional or alternate examples of varying scope could have beenpresented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.

While this disclosure includes a number of embodiments in differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail particular embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit thebroad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.

Previous designs for animal repelling devices known in the art haveincluded dangerous and potentially lethal features, such as spikes,sharp objects, or barbed-wire as part of their designs. Some have arotational function with or without dangerous objects on top. Most arecomplex in structure, assembly, and maintenance. The current designdisclosed herein, as will be seen, may provide the additional advantagesof being easy to install, easy to maintain, low in cost, andaesthetically appealing.

Moreover, the present design is mountable on virtually all types offences or mounting structures 10, including walls, roofs, and boundarybarriers 10, whether they be wooden fences, split-rail fences,chain-link fences, wrought-iron fences, or of masonry, brick, stone,block, or other solid-like construction. As such, the present design mayprovide for an effective and safe animal-repeller for keeping unwantedanimals out and domestic pets in. The current design may create aneasy-to-maintain and easy-to-install animal-repeller that requires nospecial skill or tools to install. The current design may be affordableand of relatively simple construction. The current design may helpmaintain a safe environment for a person on their own property. Finally,and among other things, the current design may protect domestic petsfrom harm causable by wild animals.

FIG. 1 shows an elevation or profile view of the animal repelling device30 mounted on or at a top or upper surface of fence 10. As a person ofordinary skill in the art (POSA) will appreciate, fence 10 is shown byway of illustration and not by limitation as a chain-link fence. Thefence 10 may comprise one or more posts or vertical supports 12, as wellas one or more rails or horizontal supports 14. Panels 16 of anysuitable material, including wire mesh, may be disposed between, and maybe coupled to, the posts 12, rails 14, or both. In some instances, theposts 12 and rails 14 may be coupled together with connectors,attachments devices, or brackets 18. The fence 10 comprises a height Hfthat may be of any standard or desirable height.

FIG. 1 also shows the animal repelling device 30 may comprise aplurality of mounting brackets 40, such as a first mounting bracket 40 aand a second mounting bracket 40 b. Additional detail with respect tobrackets 40 is presented with respect to FIGS. 2A-2F. Each of themounting brackets 40, comprises a lower section or portion 60 and anupper section or portion 50. The lower section 60 may comprise a curvedinner surface 68 configured to mateably couple with an upper circularrail 14 of fence 10. The upper section 50 may comprise a notch or cutout56, at least one foot 62, and at least one rib 64, the foot 62 and rib64 disposed on opposing sides of the upper section 50 of the mountingbracket 40 to provide structural support.

A roller 80 may be disposed between and extending axially between afirst mounting bracket 40 a and a second mounting bracket 40 b, theroller 80 comprising an aligner 90 that biases the roller 80 back to aninitial position or at rest position. An attachable accessory 110 may bereleasably coupled to the notch 56 of the upper section 50 of at leastone of the mounting brackets 40, such as the first mounting bracket 40 aor the second mounting bracket 40 b. The attachable accessory 120 maycomprise one or more of a noise making clip 120, a security finial clip130, a lamp clip 140, or a siren clip 150.

A method of installing or mounting the animal repelling device 30 to thefence or mounting structure 10 may include coupling a first mountingbracket 40 to the fence 10. The sidewall or mounting flange 66 mayprevent the mounting bracket 40 from undesirably moving from, orrotating on, the fence 10. The openings 67 in the mounting flange 66 maybe used to secure the mounting bracket 40 to the fence 10, such as byusing the apertures 67 as a guide to drill holes into the fence 10 andfor the insertion of bolts or other fastening device.

With a first mounting bracket 40 a coupled to the fence 10 a first end82 of roller 80 may be coupled to the first mounting bracket 40 a.Thereafter, a second end 83 of the roller 80 may be coupled to a secondmounting bracket 40 b, the second mounting bracket 40 b also beingcoupled to the fence 10. The axels 54 of the mounting brackets 80 may beinserted into the openings 85 in the roller 80 and openings 85 a in theroller cap 85, as applicable, and as shown and described with respect tothe subsequent FIGs. In some instances, the first end 82 of the roller80 may be held in place while the second mounting member 40 b is coupledto the opposing second end 83 of the roller 80. The second mountingbracket 40 b may then be coupled or securely fastened to the fence 10.In other instances, both mounting brackets 40 may be fastened or coupledto the fence 10 before the roller 80 is coupled to the mounting brackets40, such as when the axels 54 are adjustable, spring loaded, or not madeas a single unit or piece with the mounting bracket 40, or when theroller 80 is collapsible, telescoping, or otherwise configured to be soattached. Alternatively, the roller may be rotatably coupled to themounting brackets 40 before one or more of the mounting brackets 40 arecoupled to the fence 40.

The above method or process may be repeated as many times as desired,until repeating lengths of rollers 80 and mounting brackets 40 extend toends of the fence 10. To facilitate instillation, one or more rollers 80may be cut to length to fit the installment area.

Once installed on fence 10, the animal repelling device 30 may functionor operate to prevent passage of animals over the fence 10. For example,when an animal, such as a coyote or other wild animal, a third-party'sdog or cat, or any other non-invited animal attempts to scale the fence10, as the animal jumps upward with front paws (or legs) out-stretched,expecting to touch a stable fence-top, the paws instead contact roller80. Rather than finding a stable surface from which to cling andcomplete the traverse by bringing up the rear paws while pulling orbeing stabilized by front paws, the roller 80 rotates toward the animal,causing the front paws to roll down and off the roller 80 and the animalfalls to the ground. As such, the animal will be denied entry, andsubsequently avoid the area. In order to achieve the desired results orlimiting, reducing, or preventing unwanted animal access with animalrepelling device 30, the animal repelling device 30 is set forth inadditional detail below.

FIGS. 2A-2F show various embodiments of mounting brackets 40. Themounting brackets 40 may be made of a suitable metal, such as steel,iron, cast iron, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, zinc, chrome,and may be galvanized, stainless, anodized, plated, coated, or otherwisetreated so as to be formed of a weather resistant non-corrodiblematerial. In some instances, the mounting brackets 40 may be made ofplastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, composite material, ceramic, orother synthetic or natural material. The mounting brackets 40 may beformed by extrusion, molding, casting, machining, 3D-printing, or anyother suitable process, whether additive, reductive, or both.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket40, with the upper section or portion 50 of the mounting bracket 40asymmetrically mounted with respect to the lower section 60 of themounting bracket 40. Thus, the vertical tab 52 of the upper section 50of the mounting bracket 40 is not centered with respect to the width W1of lower section 60 of mounting bracket 40. The vertical tab 52 may alsocomprise notches or cutouts 56 configured to receive or mateably couplewith attachment clips or attachable accessories 110. In some instances,the notches or cutouts 56 may be formed by removing material from themounting bracket 40, including the vertical tab 52, while in otherinstances, the mounting bracket 40 may be formed without any materialdisposed in the area or position of the notch 56, making subsequentremoval of the material unnecessary.

FIG. 2A additionally shows that the mounting bracket 40 furthercomprises feet 62 that form a base or support for resting on fence 10,the feet 62 extending in a horizontal direction, roughly parallel to theground, and roughly contained in or following an x-z plane. Mountingbracket 40 is shown further comprising ribs or vertical reinforcingmembers 64 that extend between the vertical tab 52 and the horizontalfeet 62. The ribs 64 may be principally formed in, or extend through, ax-y plane, being orthogonal or perpendicular to the vertical tab 52 andthe feet 62, and providing a increased moment of inertia for thevertical tab 52, to reduce torsion, bending, deformation, and failure ofthe vertical tab 52, especially when transmitting loads from the roller80 to the fence 10. As shown in FIG. 2A, the ribs need not besymmetrically formed about the vertical tab 52, and may be disposedbelow or offset from the notches 56, so as to not interfere withattachment clips 110. In some instances, one or more of the axels 54,the vertical tab 52, the feet 62, and the ribs 64, and entirety of themounting bracket 40 may be formed of a single material at a single time,to form a unitary or singular unit.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional profile view of mounting bracket 40 fromFIG. 2A taken along section line 2B-2B. As shown in FIG. 2B, thesidewall or mounting flange 66 may comprise a curved inner surface 68 ofthe sidewall or mounting flange 66 that may be used to couple to anytype of fence 10, including a chain-link fence 10 comprising a curvedrail 14 that further comprises a circular cross-section that maymateably coupled to the curved inner surface 68 of the sidewall ormounting flange 66, such as without any intervening members, and providea solid and robust fit. The curved inner surface 68 may comprise aradius of curvature in a range of 2.5-20 centimeters (cm) (or 1-8 inches(in.)), 5-15 cm (or 2-6 in.) or about 10 cm (4 in.), where “about” asused herein means a percent difference less than or equal to 20%, 10%,5%, 3% or 1%.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket40 with vertical tab 52 symmetrically mounted with respect to the lowersection 60 of the mounting bracket 40. Mounting bracket 40 is thus showncomprising the vertical tab 52 centered with respect to the width Wt ofthe tab 52 such that the feet 62 and the ribs 64 may be symmetricalcoupled to, and about, the vertical tab 52.

FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket40 similar to the mounting bracket 40 show in FIG. 2C, with the verticaltab 52 mounted symmetrically with respect to lower section 60 andmounting bracket 40. FIG. 2 D further shows the mounting bracket 40differs from the mounting bracket of FIG. 2C by showing the foot 62 andthe ribs 64 having been integrally formed such that the lower section 60has a sloped, angled, or slanted upper surface 61. FIG. 2D also showsthat the axles 54 may be disposed at the distal end of vertical tab 52.

FIG. 2E shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket40 similar to what was shown in FIG. 2C, but includes the additionalfeatures that the axles 54 may be disposed at the distal end of verticaltab 52, and that a portion of the sidewall 66, such as a perimeter maycomprise a stylized or aesthetic design. Further, FIG. 2E shows that thevertical tab 52 may extend below the upper section 50, and continuebelow the foot 62, thereby acting as an additional rib 64 for additionalstructural support.

FIG. 2F shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mounting bracket40 in which a removable second sidewall 69 may be coupled to, anddirectly contact, the lower section 60, including foot 62 and sidewall66 to provide additional support and a more robust connection whencoupling the mounting bracket 40 to a fence 10 comprising an upper rail14.

FIGS. 3A-3F show various aspects of rollers 89 that may be used as partof the animal repelling device 30. FIG. 3A shows a perspective view ofan embodiment of a roller 80. The roller 80 may be made of a suitablemetal, such as steel, iron, cast iron, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper,nickel, zinc, chrome, and may be galvanized, stainless, anodized,plated, coated, or otherwise treated or other weather resistantnon-corrodible material. In some instances, the roller 80 may be made ofplastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, composite material, ceramic, orother synthetic or natural material. The roller 80 may be formed byextrusion, molding, casting, machining, 3D-printing, or any othersuitable process, whether additive, reductive, or both.

FIG. 3A also shows a non-limiting example in which the roller 80comprises a 4-finned cross-sectional shape comprising a plurality, suchas four, ribs or fins 86. While four fins 86 are shown as a non-limitingexample, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anydesirable number of fins may be used. For example, five fins may beemployed, like shown in FIG. 4. For example, there could even be justone or two, or three fins as well. The fins 86 may be straight, curved,angled, or sloped. The roller 80 comprises a first end 82 and a secondend 83 opposite the first end 82. An axis or central axis 84 can extendalong the roller and pass through the first end 82 and the second end83, including padding through the center of the first end 82 and thesecond end 83. One or more openings 85 may be formed in one or more, oreach, of the first end 82 and the second end 83 and extend partially orcompletely through the roller 80. As such, the opening 85 may be asingle continuous opening extending completely through, and along alength, of the roller 80. In other instances, there may be multipleseparate, distinct, and unconnected openings 85. The openings 85 mayreceive the axels 54 of the of the mounting brackets 54, to allow theroller 80 to rotate along its axis 84 while the mounting brackets 40remain stationary and coupled to the fence 10.

While the axels 54 have been shown and described as part of the mountingbrackets 40 and the openings 85 as part of the roller 80, the reversemay also be true with the roller comprising protrusions or axels 54, andthe mounting brackets 40 comprising openings 85 or receiving slots. Inyet other instances, both the mounting brackets 40 and the rollers 80may comprise openings 85, into which are inserted pins, protrusion, oraxels 54 that are separate from both the mounting brackets 40 and therollers 80.

FIG. 3A also shows the roller 80 may comprise an aligner 90 that biases,turns, or rotates the roller 80 back to an initial or at-rest position.The aligner 80 may be formed as a weight coupled to a portion of theroller 80, such that the weighted portion or aligner 90 will be at restwhen it is at the bottom of the arc or circle through which the roller80 will rotate. With the aligner 90 being heavier than he rest of theroller 80 the aligner 90 will rest at the lowest point of the path oftravel of the roller 80. FIG. 3A shows the aligner 90 may be formed as abead 94, such as a reinforced or enlarged strip of material the extendsdown an entirety or down a portion of the length of a fin 86. Theincreased mass or weight of the bead 94 will pull the roller 80 bygravity, when at rest and not loaded by any external forces, to have thebead 94 or aligner 90 at the bottom position of the path of rotation ofthe roller 80.

In other instances, rather than being formed as a bead 94 the aligner 90may be formed as one or more discrete weights 96 spaced at one or moreintervals along the length of the roller 80. The discrete weights 96forming aligner 90 may be disposed at or along any desired portion of aninner or outer surface of the roller 80.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a roller 80comprising a 8-finned cross-sectional shape. Each of the fins 86 isfurther shown with a sweeping or curving shape. A central axis 84 of theroller 80 passes through the opening 85. A distal end of one of the fins86 is shown with an aligner 90 formed as a bead or thickened portion atthe end or tip of the fin 86. The additional mass or weight of the fin86 with the aligner 90 will cause the roller 80 to rotate about its axis84 and return to an at rest position, with the aligner 90 orienteddownward or at a lowest point along its rotational path after the roller80 is placed in motion, such as by an animal, wind, or other force.

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a roller 80comprising a 5-finned design comprising a star shaped cross-sectionalarea. Each of the fins 86 n is further shown with a hollow interior orsection 89, such that the fins 86 comprise adjacent sidewalls 81,separated by a gap, space, or hollow interior 89, rather than beingformed of fins 86 comprising a single member, solid structure, orcontinuous material without a gap as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. At acenter of the hollow fins 86, an opening 85 (or alternatively an axel54) may be disposed at, or in line with, the central axis 84. An aligner90 may be formed as a bead or mass or material that fills a portion ofthe hollow space within one of the fins 86, or alternatively, may beformed as a thickened sidewall on one of the fins 86.

FIG. 3D shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a roller 80comprising a 6-finned cross-sectional shape. Each of the fins 86 isfurther shown with a solid portion without a hollow interior 89 adjacentthe axis 84 (similar to fins 86 in FIGS. 3A and 3B) and an enlargedportion at a distal end of the fin 86 that does comprise a hollowinterior 89. In some instances, the hollow interior 89 may be formed asa tube or channel formed as part of, or integrated with or within, theend of the fin 86. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3D, the fins need not beentirely without a hollow interior 89, nor be entirely comprised of ahollow interior, but may be a mixture.

FIGS. 3A-3D show examples of rollers 80 that comprise openings 85 thatare substantially equal in size to a size of axel 54, such that theopenings 85 and 54 mateably couple, with or without a bearing, to allowfor the roller 80 to roll or rotate around axis 84, and deny solidfooting to an animal or person attempting to cross over the fence 10 andthe animal repelling device. As used herein, substantially equal allowsfor enough space for lubricant, a bearing, or some desired relativemovement between the axel 54 and the opening 85, while facilitating, andnot impeding, the rotation of the roller 80 about its axis 84. As such,“substantially” as used herein means a percent difference in sizes in arange of 0-5%.

FIGS. 3E-3G show examples of rollers 80 that are tubular and compriselarge openings 85 and hollow interiors that further comprise caps or endcaps 88. The roller 80 has a hollow interior or hollow inner chamber 89that may be defined by one or more portions of the sidewall 81. The caps88 are coupled to, or disposed within, the openings 85, the caps 88further comprising openings 85 a in the caps 85 that are substantiallyequal in size to a size with the axel 54. As such, the openings 85 and54 mateably couple, with or without a bearing, to allow for the roller80 to roll and deny solid footing to an animal or person attempting tocross over the fence 10. Additionally, the hollow interior 89 of theroller 80 may be partially filled with sound making articles, freerolling objects, or fill 70 that contact, and receive resistance from,the octagonally shaped sidewall 81 to produce noise from spinning orrotating roller, which can startle an animal near or contacting theroller 80, and serve as an additional deterrent to the animal attemptingto cross over the fence or wall 10. The sound-making articles 70,include but are not limited to, rocks, pebbles, roller bearings, metalor plastic fastener bolts, metal or plastic fastener nuts, and the like.

FIG. 3E shows the roller 80 comprising a hollow octagonal form, and acorresponding cap 88 that mateably couples with opening 85 of the roller80. The cap 88 may be made of a material that is the same or differentthan the material of the roller 80. Like the roller 80, the cap 88 maybe made of may be formed of a suitable metal, such as steel, iron, castiron, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, zinc, chrome, and may begalvanized, stainless, anodized, plated, coated, or otherwise treated tobe a weather resistant non-corrodible material. In some instances, thecap 80 may be made of plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, compositematerial, ceramic, or other synthetic or natural material. The cap 80may be formed by extrusion, molding, casting, machining, 3D-printing, orany other suitable process, whether additive, reductive, or both. Insome instance the cap 88 may maybe a separate or discrete piecereleasably or permanently coupled with the roller 80.

Additionally, FIG. 3E further shows an aligner 90, whether formed as abead 94, or of discreet weights 96, may be disposed at an exterior orinterior of the sidewall 81, to bring the aligner 90 to the lowest pointof its rotational path, when at an at-rest position 92.

FIG. 3F shows the roller 80 comprising a hollow hexagonal formcomprising a hollow interior 89, with sides or segments of the sidewall81 formed in a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. While the sidewalls 81are shown with a hexagon shape, any polygon or a shape of any number ofsides may be used. Additionally, the sides, lengths, or faces of thesidewall 81 may be formed being straight or flat, as well as with aconcave shape as shown in FIG. 3F, and in yet other instance may beformed with a convex shape, undulating shape, or any other shape.

Similar to FIG. 3E, the roller 80 of FIG. 3F may be fit with, or coupledto, a corresponding cap 88 that mateably couples with opening 85 of theroller 80. The cap 88 may be made of a material that is the same ordifferent than the material of the roller 80. Additionally, FIG. 3Ffurther shows the roller 80 may comprise an aligner 90, whether formedas a bead 94, or of discreet weights 96, that may be disposed at anexterior or interior of the sidewall 81, to bring the aligner 90 to thelowest point of its rotational path, when at an at-rest position 92.

FIG. 3G shows an exploded perspective view of a roller 80 comprising ahollow interior 89, and further comprising bumps, knob, or protrusions70 disposed on an outer surface of, and along the circumference of, thesidewall 81. The bumps 70 may provide traction for a paw or limb or ananimal or individual contacting the roller and increase rotation of theroller 80 leading to the animal to lose its footing and not be able tocross over the animal repelling device 30 and the fence 10, In someinstances, one of the bumps 87 may be enlarged to form aligner 90. Inother instances, a separate aligner 90 distinct from the bumps 87,whether a bead 94 or of discreet weights 96, and whether at an interiorsurface or exterior surface of the sidewall 81 may be used.

FIG. 3G also shows that caps 88 may be made of one or more parts, andmay be releasably coupled to one another such as by threading, or othersuitable attachment, whether mechanical, chemical, or both.

FIG. 4 shows a non-limiting example of a complete assembly of an animalrepelling device 30, comprising a roller 80 with five fins, firstmounting bracket 40 a, and second mounting bracket 40 b, coupled tofence 10.

FIGS. 5A-5E show a number of attachment clips or attachable accessories110 that may be coupled to the mounting brackets 40 or other suitablelocation of the animal repelling device 30 or the fence 10. Theattachment clips 110 may comprise noise making clips 120, securityfinial clips 130, lamp clips 140, siren clips 140, additional detail ofwhich is shown and described with respect to FIGS. 5A-5E. In someinstances, the attachments clips 110 may provide more than a singlefunction, and may provide clips of one or more of noise making,security, lamp, siren, or other desirable feature.

The attachment clips 110 may be formed of a suitable metal, such assteel, iron, cast iron, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, zinc,chrome, and may be galvanized, stainless, anodized, plated, coated, orotherwise treated to be a weather resistant non-corrodible material. Insome instances, the attachment clips 110 may be made of plastic,fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, composite material, ceramic, or othersynthetic or natural material. The attachment clips 110 may be formed byextrusion, molding, casting, machining, 3D-printing, or any othersuitable process, whether additive, reductive, or both. The attachmentclips 110 may be configured to be releasably coupled to mounting bracket40 at the notch 56.

FIGS. 5A-5E show a number of attachment clips 110 by themselves, andalso coupled to vertical tabs 52 of mounting brackets 40 as part ofanimal repelling devices 30. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the noise making clip120 may be coupled to mounting bracket 40 at the notch 56. The noisemaking clip 120 comprises rolled edges 122 for releasably coupling withnotch 56 and an arm 124 that extends between the rolled edges 122 forsecurely coupling the clip 120 to the bracket 40. Clip 120 furthercomprises a tongue 126 that intermittently contacts a portion of theroller 80, such as fins 86 as well as bumps, knob, or protrusions 87that extend from a surface of the roller 80, such as a cap or end cap 88of the roller 80.

In some instances, such as that illustrated in FIG. 5B, the bumps 87 maybe arranged as spokes radiating away from the axis 84 of the roller orthe opening 85 of the roller 80, as well as radiating away from theopening 85 a in the cap 88 of roller 80. In other instances, such aswhen the roller 80 is formed with fins 86, the fins 86 may act as thespokes or bumps 87 to provide intermittent contact with the tongue 126of the noise making clip 120 as the roller 80 rotates about its axis 84.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show perspective views of a security finial clip 130 andof the security finial clip mounted to the animal repelling device 30,respectively. The security finial clip 130 comprises rolled edges 122for releasably coupling with notch 56 and an arm 124 that extendsbetween the rolled edges 122 for securely coupling the clip 120 to thebracket 40. The security finial 130 comprises a trident 136 thatcomprises points, prongs, tines, or barbs 137, such as three points 137,but any desirable number of points may be used. In some instances, thepoints 137 may be aligned in a single line or plane as shown, while inother instances the points 137 may be aligned in a series of lines,whether parallel or intersecting, and may be arranged as a plus “+”shape, as circular shape, or as any suitable shape or pattern. In anyevent, the security finial 130 comprises a trident 136 with a width Wagreater than the width Wt of the portion of the mounting bracket 40—suchas the vertical tab 52—to which the security finial clip 130 is coupled.Additionally, or alternatively, the width Wa of the security finial 130may be greater than a width Wr of the spacing between adjacent rollers80. With the width Wa of the security finial 130 greater than the widthWt of the mounting bracket or the width Wr of the space between rollers80, the security finial 130 may prevent an animal or individual fromgaining traction on the mounting bracket 40, or on a portion of theanimal repelling device 30, or on fence 10, other than the roller 80.

FIGS. 5E and 5F show perspective views of a lamp clip 140 or a sirenclip 150, and of the lamp clip 140 or siren clip 150 mounted to theanimal repelling device 30, respectively. The lamp clip 140 and sirenclip 150 comprise rolled edges 122 for releasably coupling with notch 56and an arm 124 that is coupled to, and may extends between, and from,the rolled edges 122 for securely coupling the clip 120 to the bracket40. The arm 124 may comprise a distal end or mounting area 144, 154 forattachment or coupling with lamp 142 or the siren 152.

As such, the animal repelling device 30 provides increasedfunctionality, ease of use, and improved design and additional featuresnot previously known or appreciated in order to provide improvedprotections against unwanted movement, particularly animal movement,over the top of fences 10.

Where the above examples, embodiments, and implementations referenceexamples, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat other systems, devices, and examples could be intermixed orsubstituted with those provided. In places where the description aboverefers to particular embodiments, it should be readily apparent that anumber of modifications may be made without departing from the spiritthereof and that these embodiments and implementations may be applied toother technologies as well. Accordingly, although particular componentexamples may be disclosed, such components may be comprised of anyshape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement,concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistentwith the intended purpose, method and/or system of implementation. Thus,the presently disclosed aspects and embodiments are, therefore, to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Thedisclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art, asset forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal repelling device, comprising: a firstmounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, each of which comprisesan upper section and a lower section, wherein the upper sectioncomprising a vertical tab coupled to and extending from the lowersection, a notch formed in the vertical tab, and ribs coupled toopposing sides of the vertical tab and the lower section of the mountingbracket to provide structural support, and wherein the lower sectioncomprises a foot with an upper surface and a lower surface opposite theupper surface, the vertical tab coupled to and extending from the uppersurface of the foot and a sidewall coupled to and extending from thelower surface of the foot, the sidewall comprising a curved innersurface configured to mateably couple with an upper circular rail of afence; a roller disposed between, rotatably coupled to, and extendingaxially between, the first mounting bracket and the second mountingbracket, the roller comprising an aligner that biases the roller back toan initial at rest position; and an attachment clip releasably coupledto the notch of the vertical tab of at least one of the first mountingbracket or the second mounting bracket, the attachment clip comprisingone or more of a noise making clip, a security finial clip, a lamp clip,or a siren clip.
 2. The animal repelling device of claim 1, wherein theanimal repelling device is formed of a weather resistant non-corrodiblematerial.
 3. The animal repelling device of claim 1, wherein the curvedinner surface of the sidewall comprises a radius of curvature in a rangeof 2.5-20 centimeters.
 4. The animal repelling device of claim 1,wherein the security finial comprises a trident with a width greaterthan a width of the mounting bracket to which the security finial clipis coupled.
 5. The animal repelling device of claim 1, wherein the noisemaking clip further comprises: an arm comprising a rolled edge coupledto the notch of the vertical tab; and a tongue flexibly coupled to thearm and extending to intermittently contact the roller when the rolleris spinning.
 6. The animal repelling device of claim 1, wherein thealigner of the roller comprises a weighted feature configured to rotatethe roller to a position with the aligner at the bottom of the roller.7. The animal repelling device of claim 1, wherein the vertical tab isoffset with respect to the foot of the lower section of the mountingbracket.
 8. An animal repelling device, comprising: at least onemounting bracket comprising an upper section and a lower section,wherein the upper section comprising a vertical tab coupled to andextending from the lower section, a notch formed in the vertical tab,and a rib coupled to the vertical tab, and wherein the lower sectioncomprises a sidewall that extends away from the vertical tab, thesidewall comprising a curved inner surface; a roller coupled to andextending axially from the first mounting bracket; and an attachmentclip releasably coupled to the notch of the vertical tab of at least oneof the first mounting bracket, the attachment clip comprising a noisemaking clip that comprises: an arm comprising a rolled edge coupled tothe notch of the vertical tab; and a tongue flexibly coupled to the armand extending to intermittently contact the roller when the roller isspinning.
 9. The animal repelling device of claim 8, wherein the ribcoupled to the vertical tab further comprises first and second ribscoupled to opposing sides of the vertical tab and further coupled to thelower section of the mounting bracket.
 10. The animal repelling deviceof claim 8, wherein the sidewall comprises a curved inner surfacecomprising a radius of curvature in a range of 2.5-20 centimeters. 11.The animal repelling device of claim 8, wherein the attachment clipfurther comprises a security finial that comprises a trident with awidth greater than a width of the mounting bracket to which the securityfinial clip is coupled.
 12. The animal repelling device of claim 8,wherein the roller comprises an aligner configured to rotate the rollerto an at rest position.
 13. The animal repelling device of claim 8,wherein the lower section further comprises a foot with an upper surfaceand a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the vertical tab coupledto and extending from the upper surface of the foot and a sidewallcoupled to and extending from the lower surface of the foot, and whereinthe vertical tab is offset with respect to the foot of the lower sectionof the mounting bracket.
 14. An animal repelling device, comprising: amounting bracket comprising an upper section and a lower section,wherein the upper section comprising a vertical tab coupled to andextending from the lower section, a notch formed in the vertical tab,and a rib coupled to the vertical tab, and wherein the lower sectioncomprises a sidewall that extends away from the vertical tab; a rollercoupled to and extending axially from the mounting bracket; and a noisemaking attachment clip that comprises: an arm comprising a rolled edgecoupled to the notch of the vertical tab; and a tongue flexibly coupledto the arm and extending to intermittently contact the roller when theroller is spinning.
 15. The animal repelling device of claim 14, whereinthe rib coupled to the vertical tab further comprises first and secondribs coupled to opposing sides of the vertical tab and further coupledto the lower section of the mounting bracket.
 16. The animal repellingdevice of claim 14, wherein the sidewall comprises a curved innersurface comprising a radius of curvature in a range of 2.5-20centimeters.
 17. The animal repelling device of claim 14, furthercomprising an attachment clip that comprises a security finial thatcomprises a trident with a width greater than a width of the mountingbracket to which the security finial clip is coupled.
 18. The animalrepelling device of claim 14, wherein the roller comprises an alignerconfigured to rotate the roller to an at rest position.